One day, a dog named Sharik was running along a high fence that surrounded the zoo. Suddenly, he noticed a small kitten in front of him. It was sitting under the fence and crying quietly. Ever since he was a puppy, Sharik had chased little kittens. He would bite their tails or chase them up trees. And every time he met these scruffy, fluffy little bundles, he proudly remembered his achievements.
Sharik passes by the sobbing kitten and wonders whether he should grab the fluffy thing by its tail?! After all, it's so small that it won't even have time to blink. And for Sharik, the main thing is the chase! After all, it's only from chasing poor little kittens through the courtyards that he gets pleasure. Sharik is a hunting dog, and he has the talent of a hunter and provider from his brave and formidable ancestors.
So Sharik decided to walk past. But then he suddenly heard the kitten crying bitterly.
I can't stand cat tears!
The dog thought to himself.
They look so pitiful when they cry, so defenceless!
And then Sharik decided to find out what had happened to the kitten. Why had he huddled in a corner and was crying so bitterly?
Hey there, little one! What's your name?
Sharik asked the kitten.
My name is Zabiyaka!
The kitten purred softly.
What are you doing sitting here and crying? What happened to you?
The dog asked.
I got lost and don't know how to get home,
The kitten replied.
Got lost? Well, we'll find your mum in no time, just stop crying. Otherwise, I'll start crying too! Tell me, where do you live with your mum?
The dog asked.
We live in the zoo. I just decided to go for a walk for a moment and got lost right away,
Zabiyaka answered sadly.
Well, you see, it's not so bad. We already know where you live. So, shall we go and look for your mum?
Sharik suggested.
Zabiyaka nodded and wiped away his tears. And so Sharik and the kitten set off to search. Making their way through the undergrowth, they finally reached the large gates of the zoo.
What does your mum look like? There are so many animals here that it won't be easy to guess which one is your mum,
Sharik began to reason.
After thinking for a few minutes, the dog decided to follow the arrow that said 'Felines'.
And so the dog and kitten approached the first cage, from which a Lynx stared at them intently.
Is this perhaps your mum?
Sharik asked.
No, of course not! This one has tufts on each ear, but my mum doesn't have those,
Zabiyaka became upset.
Well then, let's keep looking!
Sharik said confidently.
And so the kitten and dog found themselves at a second cage. Through the bars, a huge Tiger looked at them.
Look, it seems similar, only much bigger than you,
Sharik exclaimed joyfully.
No, this isn't my mum either. She doesn't have stripes like this huge cat,
Zabiyaka replied.
Yes, I guessed wrong again. Well, let's continue the search!
Sharik didn't lose heart.
In the next cage, the friends met a Leopard.
Look, Zabiyaka, this one doesn't have stripes. Could this be your mum?
The dog asked hopefully.
No, this one has spots all over its body. My mum definitely doesn't have those,
Zabiyaka cried again.
The same disappointment awaited the dog and kitten when they approached the cage with a Puma. Here too, Zabiyaka's mum was not to be found.
Listen, can you at least describe what your mum looks like?
Sharik asked.
My mum is the most beautiful. She is all black, like the night,
Zabiyaka replied.
Oh, then I know where she is,
The dog exclaimed.
It's a Panther! Definitely!
And so the little dog and kitten ran to find the cage with the sign 'Panther'.
There, that's definitely her, Zabiyaka!
The dog said, almost delighted when the right sign was found.
No, it's not her!
The kitten was completely disappointed and began to cry, turning his head away from the cage.
And suddenly, out of the blue, Zabiyaka cried out loudly:
There she is, my beloved mum!
Along the neighbouring path walked a black fluffy cat with pride.
So it's just an ordinary cat!
Sharik said in surprise.
It's not an ordinary cat!
Zabiyaka protested.
It's my beloved and the best mum in the world!
Strangely, you said you live with her in the zoo. So where is your cage then? – the dog wondered.
Yes, that's right. My mum really does live in the zoo. Only not in a cage, but in the director's office.
Then Sharik was even more surprised.
Meanwhile, Zabiyaka approached Sharik and licked the dog's cold nose with his warm, wet tongue.
Thank you so much, Sharik! Now you're my best friend! I would have been lost without you!
Zabiyaka purred sincerely.
The kitten jumped up and ran to his mum. Sharik watched him go and thought: 'Well, this is news! Just yesterday I was chasing kittens all over the city, scaring them and pulling their tails! And today I'm the kitten's best friend! But really, how wonderful it is that this little eared one found his mum and they're together now. I'll definitely come and visit them! After all, we're now true loyal friends!'.
